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Can Natural Products Protect You From Mosquitoes With West Nile Virus?

There is no vaccine or cure for West Nile virus, so prevention – avoiding mosquito bites – is the key. (Photo credit: fairfaxcounty)

Almost 40,000 people in the United States developed West Nile virus last year and 1,549 died because of it. Compare that to 1999, the first year the disease was seen in North America, when only 62 people were reported infected.

Humans contract West Nile virus from infected mosquitoes. While most people only develop mild flu-like symptoms that go away on their own, some develop potentially fatal complications, such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord). There is no vaccine or cure for West Nile virus, so prevention – avoiding mosquito bites – is the key.

Natural bug repellents

The synthetic chemical DEET has been proven to be an effective bug repellent, but many are wary of its strong chemical properties, preferring to use natural alternatives. But are there natural options that are safe and effective? Yes, according to Joe Schwarcz, PhD, the director of the McGill University Office for Science and Society, but they don’t compare to DEET’s effectiveness, he cautions. One must also be more vigilant about their application because they wear off much more quickly.

Schwarcz also points out a “natural” label doesn’t necessarily mean a product is safe, making it even more important to be aware of what you put on your skin, regardless of its origin.

A number of options are touted as effective, natural substances. Many are so-called essential oils that work for a short time, according to Schwarcz. Neem oil, an extract from the neem tree is one example. Certain preparations of soy oil and lemon eucalyptus can also be potent alternatives. The most commonly known product in natural repellents is citronella, found not only in skin products but in candles too. But Schwarcz isn’t sold on their effectiveness. “The candles have been studied and it’s far more likely that the smoke the candles produce is what is keeping the mosquitoes away and not the citronella.”

DIY

If you’re looking to make your own repellents, take a gander at recipes available online. They’re all pretty basic and similar: a few drops of essential oils should be mixed with a carrier oil, such as olive or sunflower oil, or a grain-based alcohol, such as vodka. This mixture is then applied to the skin.

In addition to the neem oil and soy oil that Schwarcz recommends, people report using, with various levels of success:

Homeopathic pills. The claim is that the pills, taken orally, reduce a person’s sensitivity to mosquitoes and the mosquitoes aren’t as attracted to them. Schwarcz doesn’t believe that products like this can work. “I’ve looked into this quite extensively and there is no evidence whatsoever that this can keep mosquitoes away,” he says.

Schwarcz is also skeptical of electronic zappers. “Of course, they do kill any mosquito that ventures into them, but they also kill other bugs,” he explains. “Studies show that among all the bugs that are killed, less than 1% are mosquitoes. So they kill far more insects that actually would feed on the mosquitoes.” Traps, which use attractions like lactic acid to lure mosquitoes have the same effect, he adds.

The best way to reduce mosquito populations is to be sure that there are no standing puddles of water that can act as breeding grounds. Even small pools of water left in children’s toys should be emptied out to discourage mosquitoes. Empty and replace water in bird baths and other containers at least once a week and make sure your gutters drain well so water doesn’t pool after the rain.

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Vitamin B-1 tablets taken once daily during mosiquito season cause a build up of a scent that mosquitoes do not like over about a weeks time. The side effects are bright yellow strong smelling urine and sweat stains on clothes.

There are better alternatives. ISU released a study in 2001 proving active ingredients in catnip( cat mint) are 10x more effective – and safe. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/08/010828075659.htm

It is a fairly well known, but hidden remedy for mosquitoes(in your surroundings) to use a spray bottle to spray (and get this) regular yellow original LISTERINE. Spray around doors, sinks, tables, picnic aread, etc; even a light spray on your clothing and on your exposed skin also!!!! For exposing oneself to the virus; M. Paul Farber’s book MICROSILVER BULLET gives an excellent choice (though DR’s will hate you for mentioning it, BUT Colloidal Silver KILLS every type of germ, virus, and bacteria, within 6 minutes or less (by suffocation).!!! Read the articles on it, and forget what the pharmacists say. They pay DR’s to use their products, so they hate anything natural. Another book that has been published, is Amazing Medicines; what doctors don’t want you to know about! A Statement in M/S Book emphatically says, NO; NO? NO? bacteria, germ or bascteria can survive the CS solution for 6 minutes. I’ve been using this silver (I make it myself and have others on it also) for over 12 tears (my skin hasn’t turned gray/blue)! It is a cure-all for any of the things listed in the book. Kills over 650 different diseases, and that’s only the ones they have proven. Could be many more, and it actually (doubles) improves ones immune system. Try it!!!@!

You are wrong about cures. i have West Nile Virus, it can be cured with several herb products like Lomidium and other anti-viral herbs. I am 90 % cured after just several herb regiments in the past 30 days.

I am now starting my second anti-herb treatment using cresote and i think it will finish the virus. I had/have the menangitis version and it is terrible

There is no medically recommended cure for West Nile virus. It does not respond to antivirals, as per the medical literature. If you responded to herbs, that’s great and it may work for other people. However, since this hasn’t been proven in clinical trials, I can’t recommend it. Treatment for WNV is supportive, to treat the symptoms and effects of the illness.

There’s this kind of mosquito repellent that is made from natural ingredients! the name of the repellent is MosquiGo. MosquiGo is the first insect repellent formulated with with healthy and safe bio pesticides (Natural Ingredients). It is also absolutely free from DEET, a potential cancer-causing chemical.

Given that 1500+ people died from WNV last year and there is no evidence that properly used DEET hasn’t killed or harmed anyone — it seems to me that advocating “natural” alternatives to DEET that are significantly less effective is poor advice. It seens like the safest advice for reducing risk to both WNV while avoiding overexposure to DEET is to advocate wearing long sleeves and pants and applying DEET to the clothes instead of the skin.